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The
Center has already contributed to the design of Huawei’s second-generation
fitness band, the TalkBand B2, just released in Mobile World Congress.
Welcoming
distinguished guests at the opening ceremony, Huawei CEO Ken Hu said, “Paris is
a global hub for fashion and arts, and now the city’s creative resources can be
applied to Huawei products worldwide.
That makes France a vital part of our
global innovation.
” The Paris
Aesthetics Center is staffed by 10 designers specializing in luxury design,
fashion, automotive, 3D, digital, and brand strategy.
Mathieu Lehanneur, a
noted French designer whose creations encompass such disparate fields as
science, art, and technology, will serve as Chief Designer.
Mr.
Lehanneur said, "We are at a turning point in history. Technology is no
longer simply around us – it is with us, and, in the case of wearables, on us.
The challenge now is to give it shape."Huawei is
expanding its collaboration with the French design community, having recently
signed a partnership with the École Nationale Supérieure de Création
Industrielle (ENSCI), a leading design school in Paris.
"We welcome
and appreciate the long-term investments and economic contribution Huawei is
making in France. Huawei’s selection of Paris as the site of its global
Aesthetics Research Center is another proof that Paris is becoming one of the
most important cities globally when it comes to design and technology, "
said Jean-Louis Missika, Mayor of Paris.
A major
player in the information communications and technology (ICT) field, Huawei has
had operations in France since 2003 and is now the country’s largest foreign
investor from China.
About Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and
communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. 170 000 employees worldwide
are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and
consumers.
Innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more
than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's
population.
Huawei currently has over 9 900 staff based in
Europe, of whom 1200 are working in 18 R&D sites located in eight European
countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the
UK).
By: N. Peter Kramer
